CITIZENS COMPASS— As a follow up to its recently concluded stakeholder conference and in a landmark step towards strengthening professionalism, institutional governance, and stakeholder collaboration within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has inaugurated the National Committee on Industry Professional Bodies Recognition and Governance (NCIPBRG).
The Committee, inaugurated at the Institute’s Headquarters in Abuja by the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade, has been mandated to develop a national framework for the recognition, collaboration, and governance of professional bodies operating within Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, travel, and allied sectors.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Fagade described the Committee as a strategic intervention designed to strengthen institutional credibility, promote ethical standards, and foster greater cooperation among professional bodies within the industry. He noted that while Nigeria is blessed with numerous professional associations serving different segments of the industry, there is an urgent need for a coherent governance framework that encourages professionalism, accountability, mutual recognition, and adherence to globally accepted standards.
“The future of every profession depends not only on the competence of its practitioners but also on the strength of the institutions that represent them. This Committee has been entrusted with the responsibility of laying the foundation for a transparent, credible and nationally accepted framework that will guide the recognition and governance of professional bodies within our industry,” Aare Fagade stated.
The Director General explained that the Committee’s assignment aligns with the statutory mandate of NIHOTOUR under the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022, particularly its responsibility to regulate standards, promote professional development, and strengthen institutional capacity within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem.
Within the next three months, the Committee is expected to:
Develop objective criteria for the recognition of professional bodies within the industry.
Recommend governance standards and accountability frameworks for recognised professional associations.
Propose ethical principles and professional practice guidelines.
Recommend frameworks for collaboration between professional bodies and relevant government institutions.
Identify areas of overlap and recommend mechanisms for improved coordination, cooperation, and specialisation.
Promote institutional harmony while preserving the uniqueness and legitimate roles of professional organisations.
Recommend strategies for strengthening professionalism, investor confidence, and international competitiveness within the sector.
Aare Fagade emphasised that the initiative is not intended to restrict legitimate professional organisations but rather to establish clear standards that encourage excellence, transparency, and public confidence.
Addressing members of the Committee, he charged them to approach their assignment with objectivity, inclusiveness, and patriotism.
“You have been selected because of your experience, integrity and commitment to the industry. Your recommendations must be practical, inclusive, legally sound and capable of strengthening institutions that will outlive individuals. This is an opportunity to shape the future governance architecture of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism profession.”
Responding on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman, Professor Wasiu A. Babalola, Esq., expressed appreciation to the Management of NIHOTOUR for the confidence reposed in the Committee and pledged the members’ commitment to delivering recommendations that will advance the collective interests of the industry.
Professor Babalola described the assignment as a national responsibility requiring collaboration, objectivity, and extensive stakeholder engagement.
“This Committee represents a unique opportunity for industry stakeholders to collectively shape the future governance framework of our profession. We shall approach this assignment with integrity, fairness and professionalism. Our objective is to produce recommendations that reflect global best practices while responding to Nigeria’s unique industry realities.”
He further assured stakeholders that the Committee would encourage broad consultations across the industry to ensure that its recommendations reflect the aspirations of practitioners, operators, academia, investors, regulators, and professional bodies alike.
“Every legitimate stakeholder has a voice that deserves to be heard. We intend to engage widely because sustainable reforms can only emerge through inclusive dialogue, evidence-based deliberations and consensus-building.”
The Committee comprises distinguished professionals drawn from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, reflecting a broad spectrum of expertise and regional representation. It includes Dr. Muhammad Nasir Yusuf (North East), Suleiman A. Ahmad (North West), Dr. Elizabeth Babagale and Mr. Aniyikaye Adebayo Samuel (North Central/FCT), Mr. Bashir Abiodun Bello and Ms Ajibola Olubiyi (South West),and Mrs. Uloma Egbuona (South East), Together, the members bring a wealth of professional experience, diverse perspectives, and regional balance to the Committee’s assignment of developing a robust framework for the recognition and governance of professional bodies within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The inauguration of the Committee forms part of NIHOTOUR’s broader reform agenda aimed at strengthening professional standards, improving institutional governance, promoting quality assurance, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The initiative also aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which recognises tourism and hospitality as strategic sectors for economic diversification, employment generation, investment promotion, cultural preservation, and sustainable national development.
The Committee is expected to undertake extensive stakeholder consultations, benchmark international best practices, and submit its report to the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR within three months for consideration and implementation.
